THE BEAST

Photo credit: Metal Dave Media

Heavy metal titans DOWN have officially kicked off the recording process for their long-awaited new album — the band’s first full-length release in over a decade. On Wednesday, July 9 , guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein entered OCD Recording in Metairie, Louisiana , marking a pivotal moment in what promises to be one of the most anticipated comebacks in modern metal history.

Fans eager for a taste of what’s to come are in luck — a preview video has surfaced showing Keenan and Windstein tracking guitars for one of the new songs, giving us a raw glimpse into the heavy, blues-soaked sonic assault the band is known for. A collection of behind-the-scenes studio photos also provides a look into the recording sessions, showcasing the band hard at work channeling the swampy, sludge-laden magic that only DOWN can conjure.

The lineup — featuring Philip H. Anselmo on vocals, Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein on guitars, Jimmy Bower on drums, and Pat Bruders on bass — recently announced their official signing to Nuclear Blast Records , setting the stage for a massive return.

From the moment a DOWN track starts, there’s no mistaking their signature sound: gargantuan riffs , southern-fried leads , crushing rhythms , and Anselmo’s unmistakable howl — all wrapped in that unmistakable New Orleans grit. While their individual legacies span legendary acts like PANTERA , CORROSION OF CONFORMITY , CROWBAR , and EYEHATEGOD , it’s when these five come together that something truly primal takes form.

Since first lighting up the underground with 1995’s platinum-certified debut NOLA , DOWN has built a discography steeped in doom, groove, and raw southern power. Each release — from Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow to Down IV – Part Two — added layers to their legacy, all while preserving the unrelenting spirit that made them an underground cult phenomenon. Their legendary live performances, including runs with METALLICA , HEAVEN & HELL , and festival stops at Ozzfest , Download , and Soundwave , have only solidified their status as heavy music icons.

As the band stokes the fire on what’s shaping up to be a seismic new chapter, fans can expect nothing less than pure, passionate, soul-shaking heavy metal — the kind only DOWN can deliver.

Stay tuned for more updates as the sessions unfold, and in the meantime, check out the first official studio teaser video and images now — the ritual has begun.